A recent report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ) shows that Indians feel more positive about how their government is addressing climate change issues compared to people in many other nations. The study looked at how people interact with news about climate change and how they evaluate government leadership in tackling the issue.
The report is based on findings from an online survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of RISJ at the University of Oxford. The fieldwork was carried out between Sept. 26 and Oct. 14, 2025, in eight countries: Brazil, France, Germany, India, Japan, Pakistan, the UK and the United States.
Overall, it found widespread scepticism about political leadership on climate change, with only about one in three respondents saying they were confident that their leaders have the right priorities, are making sound decisions, and are setting a positive example for other nations.
India Stands Apart In Global Comparison
An infographic by Statista, based on the survey findings, highlights a sharp contrast between India and other countries. Indians emerged as the most optimistic by a wide margin, with a combined 62% saying they were either very confident (23%) or somewhat confident (39%), that political leaders were making the right decisions in responding to the climate crisis. This was the highest share among all eight countries covered in the survey. By comparison, only 36% of respondents in India said they were either “not very confident” or “not at all confident” in political leadership on climate change.
Pakistan follows at a distance, where 44% express confidence, while the figure drops to 35% in the US and 36% in Brazil.
Confidence is weakest across major European nations and Japan. In the UK, only 30% say they are confident, compared to 62% who say they are not very or not at all confident.
Confidence levels are also markedly lower elsewhere, particularly in France, Germany and Japan, where scepticism outweighs trust by a wide margin. In Germany and Japan, just 29% and 27%, respectively, have expressed confidence.
France records the highest level of dissatisfaction, with 44% saying they are “not very confident” and a further 33% “not at all confident.”
Leadership Seen As Key, But Gaps Remain
As the report points out, political leadership plays a decisive role in shaping how societies respond to the climate emergency. But despite rising public awareness and a strong scientific consensus on climate change, political action remains fragmented and limited by short-term economic concerns or partisan interests. Against this backdrop, India's comparatively high optimism stands out as a significant exception in the global picture.
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